The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH)

Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) and Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT)

The BFAD and the BHDT are under the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) and are responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

The BFAD formulates standards and regulations for the licensing and accreditation of pharmaceuticals. It reviews pharmaceutical applications for compliance with safety and quality standards (e.g., Good Manufacturing Practice or GMP), and also issues product registration certificates. For pharmaceuticals on the market, the BFAD performs post-market surveillance on manufacturers, distributors, advertisers, and retailers to ensure continued compliance with regulations and standards. The BFAD also consults with field offices and manufacturers on the research and development of new technologies and methodologies.

The BHDT was created in 1999 to perform the same functions of the BFAD but for medical devices. In addition to its regulatory functions, the BHDT conducts its own research on health technologies and medical devices, and it advises the Secretary of the DOH on medical device policy.

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